Booster seat for a barber chair

ABSTRACT

A booster seat apparatus mounted to a chair is provided. The booster seat apparatus may include a lift assembly with a seat pad. The chair may be a salon or barber chair and may include a chair base frame, a chair back substantially perpendicular to the chair base frame, and a foot rest extending downward from the chair base frame. The lift assembly includes an expanded position and a retracted position. The expanded position includes an increased distance between the seat pad and the chair base frame, and the retracted position includes a decreased distance between the seat pad and the chair base frame. Therefore, a child may be boosted upward on the chair without the need of an extra booster seat.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation in part of U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 14/517,316, filed Oct. 17, 2014 which claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/892,829, filed Oct. 18, 2013, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to barber chairs and, more particularly, to a booster seat for a barber chair.

A barber chair is a chair for customers to a barber or hairdresser. A smaller person or child may need a booster seat while sitting in the barber chair.

Booster seats only provide a single level of increased height. Typically booster seats wear down and tear within one to two years. Further, when all of the boosters are in use at a barber shop and additional booster seats are needed, the business is negatively affected.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved booster seat for a barber chair.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a booster salon chair comprises: a chair base frame; a chair back substantially perpendicular to the chair base frame; a lift assembly attached to the chair base frame; a seat pad comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the lower surface is attached to the lift assembly; and a first arm rest secured to a first side of the seat pad and a second arm rest secured to a second side of the seat pad, wherein the lift assembly comprises an expanded position and a retracted position, wherein the expanded position comprises an increased distance between the seat pad and the chair base frame, and the retracted position comprises a decreased distance between the seat pad and the chair base frame, and the first arm rest and the second arm rest comprise an expanded position and a retracted position, wherein the expanded position comprises the first arm rest and the second arm disposed above the upper surface of the seat pad, and the retracted position comprises the first arm rest and the second arm rest disposed substantially in between the upper surface and the lower surface of the seat pad.

In another aspect of the present invention, a booster seat apparatus comprises: a lower frame; an upper frame; a seat pad comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the lower surface is attached to the upper frame; a first arm rest secured to a first side of the seat pad and a second arm rest secured to a second side of the seat pad; and a lift frame attaching the lower frame and the upper frame together, and operable to alter a distance between the lower frame and the upper frame, wherein the first arm rest and the second arm rest comprise an expanded position and a retracted position, wherein the expanded position comprises the first arm rest and the second arm disposed above the upper surface of the seat pad, and the retracted position comprises the first arm rest and the second arm rest disposed substantially in between the upper surface and the lower surface of the seat pad.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention, shown in use, with the seat in the expanded position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention, shown in use, with the seat in the retracted position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of booster seat apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a section view of the present invention, taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a detail section view of the present invention, illustrating the pivoting of the release bars;

FIG. 7 is a section view of the present invention, illustrating the lowering of the lift assembly;

FIG. 8 is a detail side view of an embodiment of the arm assembly;

FIG. 9 is a section view, taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a section view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a detail side view of an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is a detail side view of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

The present invention includes a booster seat incorporated into a Salon/Barber chair. By attaching a scissor lift mechanism underneath the seat cushion of the chair and to the frame underneath the seat, the present invention elevates the seat cushion to at least two different height levels for added comfort, convenience. Further, the present invention is economical, space saving and time preserving and includes a design that is not offered by other boosters.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 7, the present invention may include a booster seat apparatus mounted to a chair. The booster seat apparatus may include a lift assembly 10 with a seat pad 12. The chair may be a salon or barber chair and may include a chair base frame 52, a chair back 56 substantially perpendicular to the chair base frame 52, and a foot rest extending downward from the chair base frame 52. The lift assembly 10 includes an expanded position and a retracted position. The expanded position includes an increased distance between the seat pad 12 and the chair base frame 52, and the retracted position includes a decreased distance between the seat pad 12 and the chair base frame 52. Therefore, a child may be boosted upward on the chair without the need of an extra booster seat.

The lift assembly 10 of the present invention may include pivoting members, telescoping members, and the like to raise and lower the seat pad 12. In certain embodiments, the lift assembly 10 may include an upper frame 14 and a lower frame 16. The seat pad 12 may be attached to the upper frame 14. A lift frame may attach the lower frame 16 to the upper frame 14 and is operable to alter a distance between the lower frame 16 and the upper frame 14.

The seat pad 12 of the present invention may include an upper surface and a lower surface. The seat pad 12 may secured within a seat frame 58 by fasteners 62. The fasteners 62 may run through apertures 60 formed through the seat frame 58 and into the lower surface of the seat pad 12. The seat frame 58 is attached to the upper frame 14 of the lift assembly 10, thereby attaching the seat pad 12 to the lift assembly 10. The seat frame may include a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a base member connecting the first side and the second side together. In certain embodiments, the seat pad 12 may include a pair of arm rests 66. The arm rests 66 may be secured to the first side and the second side of the seat frame 58 by arm uprights 64. The arm uprights 64 elevate the arm rests 66 to a position above the upper surface of the seat pad 12.

In certain embodiments, the arm rests 66 may be in an expanded position and a retracted position. The expanded position may include the arm rests 66 in the elevated position above the upper surface of the seat pad 12 and the retracted position may include the arm rests 66 substantially below the upper surface of the seat pad 12. In such embodiments, each of the arm uprights 64 may include a first end and a second end. The first ends may be pivotally secured to the frame 58 by pivot pins 68. The second ends may include a female mating portion 65 operable to mate with a male mating portion 67 of the arm rests 66. The male mating portion 67 and female mating portion 65 may pivot relative to one another. The arm uprights 64 may pivot about the pivot pins 68, thereby pivoting from the expanded position to the retracted position and vise versa. In such embodiments, the seat pad 12 may include cutout portions formed on opposing sides. The arm rests 66 may be disposed within the cutout portions in the retracted position.

In certain embodiments, the present invention may include a locking mechanism to lock the arm rests 66 in the expanded and retracted position. For example, the present invention may include a lock rod having a first end and a second end. The first end may include a foot 74 having a larger diameter than the lock rod. A push button 70 may be secured to the second end. The arm uprights 64 may each include a slot having a lock rod portion and a push button portion. The lock rod portion has a smaller diameter than the push button portion and is sized to accept the lock rod. The push button portion is sized to accept the push button 70. A spring 72 may be disposed about the lock rod within the push button portion of the slot, biasing the foot against the arm uprights 64. Each of the first side and the second side of the seat frame 58 may include a foot travel track 80 having an upper locking hole 76, and a lower locking hole 78. The foot travel track 80 is sized to allow the lock rod to travel from the upper locking hole 76 to the lower locking hole 76. The upper locking hole 76 and a lower locking hole 78 are sized to retain the foot 74 within.

In use, the foot 74 may be resting within the lower locking hole 78 in the retracted position. A user may push on the push button 70 against the bias of the spring 72, thereby pushing the foot 74 outside the lower locking hole 78. The lock rod is then able to travel along the foot travel track 80, thereby allowing the arm upright 64 to pivot about the pivot pin 68 to the expanded position. Once the lock rod has reached the upper locking hole 76, the spring 72 biases the foot into the upper locking hole 76, thereby locking the arm rest 66 in the expanded position. To pivot the arm rest 66 back to the retracted position, the user may press the push button 70 and pivot the arm rest 66 downwards.

In certain embodiments, the lift frame may include a pair of first cross bars 18 and a pair of second cross bars 20. The first cross bars 18 and the second cross bars 20 may each include a first end and a second end. The first end of a first cross bar 18 is pivotally attached to the lower frame 16 at pivot point 30 and the first end of a second cross bar 20 is pivotally attached to the upper frame 14 at pivot point 28 on each side of the lift assembly 10. The first and second cross bars 18, 20 are pivotally attached to one another at a crossing pivot point 26. The pair of first cross bars 18 may be connected to one another by first connector bars 40 at the first ends and the second ends. The pair of second cross bars 20 may be connected to one another by second connector bars 42 at the first ends and second ends.

In certain embodiments, the pair of first cross bars 18 and the pair of second cross bars 20 slidably engage with the upper and lower frames 14, 16, and thereby slidably engaging the lift assembly 10 in between the expanded and contracted positions. In such embodiments, the second ends of the first cross bars 18 may slidably engage with the upper frame 14 and the second ends of the second cross bars 20 may slidably engage with the lower frame 16. In certain embodiments, the cross bars 20 may slidably engage with the frames 14, 16 via rollers 22, 24. The first cross bars 18 may include upper rollers 22 and the second cross bars 20 may include lower rollers 24.

Utilizing the above disclosed rollers, 22, 24 the lift assembly 10 may be altered from the retracted position to the expanded position, and back the retracted position. In certain embodiments, there may be more than one tier of expanded positions, thereby allowing users to make multiple adjustments to the height of the seat pad 12. For example, the present invention may include a retracted position, a middle expanded position, and a fully expanded position. In such embodiments, the lower frame 16 may include a plurality of notches 32, 33, 34, formed to receive and secure the second rollers 24 within. The plurality of notches 32, 33, 34 may include a retracted position notch 32, a middle expanded notch 33, and a fully expanded notch 34. The rollers 24 may be secured within each notch 32, 33, 34 to secure the lift assembly 10 within the respective position. A guide rail 25 may guide the rollers into each notch 32, 33, 34.

In certain embodiments, the upper frame 14 may be substantially straight without notches. In certain embodiments, the upper frame 14 may include corresponding notches 41, 43, 45 to further secure the lift assembly 10 in the retracted position, a middle expanded position, and a fully expanded position. The corresponding of notches 41, 43, 45 may also include a retracted position notch 41, a middle expanded notch 43, and a fully expanded notch 45.

The present invention may be changed from the retracted position to the expanded position by mechanical means, a hydraulic pressure booster mechanism, a racking booster mechanism, air pressure, an electric lift mechanism, a retractable pole lift mechanism and the like. In certain embodiments, the present invention may include a handle assembly in order to grasp the lift assembly 10 and alter the lift assembly 10 to a different position. In such embodiments, the handle assembly may include a lower release bar 38 and an upper release bar 36. The lower release bar 38 may be attached to a second connector bar 42, and the upper release bar 36 may be attached to a first connector bar 40 on the front side of the lift assembly 10. The lower release bar 38 may be pivotally attached to the upper release bar 36 at pivot point 39. A handle 35 may be attached to the upper release bar 36. Therefore, a user may grasp the handle 35 and lift the second rollers 24 out of a notch 32, 33, 34 and place the second rollers 24 into a different notch 32, 33, 34 to alter the position of the lift assembly 10.

The booster seat apparatus of the present invention may be attached to a chair or alternatively may rest on the chair and thereby may be easily removed. When the booster seat apparatus is attached, the lower frame 16 of the lift assembly 10 may include connecting brackets 44 with bracket apertures 46. The chair base frame 52 may include frame apertures 54 that align with the bracket apertures 46. Bolts 48 may be placed through the aligned bracket apertures 46 and the frame apertures 54. Nuts 50 may be secured to the bolts 48, thereby securing the lift assembly 10 to the salon or barber chair.

While in use, the lift assembly 10 may be in the retracted position for an average sized adult. While in the retracted position, the lower rollers 24 may be secured within the retracted position notches 32. For an older child, the handle 35 may be grasped, and the lower rollers 24 may be lifted out of the retracted position notches 32. The upper rollers 22 may roll along the upper frame 14, and the lower rollers 24 may be lowered into the middle expanded notch 33 to lift the seat 12 to the middle expanded position. For a younger child, the handle 35 may be grasped and the lower rollers 24 may be lifted out of the middle expanded notch 33. The upper rollers 22 may roll along the upper frame 14 and lower rollers 24 may be lowered into the fully expanded notch 34 to lift the seat 12 to the fully expanded position. The seat 12 may be lowered by moving the lower rollers 24 back to the retracted position notches 32 using the method described above.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A booster salon chair comprising: a chair base frame; a chair back substantially perpendicular to the chair base frame; a lift assembly attached to the chair base frame; a seat pad comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the lower surface is attached to the lift assembly; and a first arm rest secured to a first side of the seat pad and a second arm rest secured to a second side of the seat pad, wherein the lift assembly comprises an expanded position and a retracted position, wherein the expanded position comprises an increased distance between the seat pad and the chair base frame, and the retracted position comprises a decreased distance between the seat pad and the chair base frame, and the first arm rest and the second arm rest comprise an expanded position and a retracted position, wherein the expanded position comprises the first arm rest and the second arm disposed above the upper surface of the seat pad, and the retracted position comprises the first arm rest and the second arm rest disposed substantially in between the upper surface and the lower surface of the seat pad.
 2. The booster salon chair of claim 1, wherein the lift assembly further comprises a lower frame, an upper frame, and a lift frame connecting the lower frame and the upper frame, wherein the lower frame and the upper frame are substantially parallel with one another, and wherein the lower frame is mounted to the chair base frame, and the seat pad is mounted to the upper frame.
 3. The booster salon chair of claim 2, wherein the lift frame comprises at least a first cross bar and a second cross bar each comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first cross bar is pivotally attached to the lower frame and the first end of the second cross bar is pivotally attached to the upper frame, wherein the first and second cross bars are pivotally attached to one another at a crossing point.
 4. The booster salon chair of claim 3, wherein the second end of the first cross bar is slidably engaged with the upper frame, and the second end of the second cross bar is slidably engaged with the lower frame.
 5. The booster salon chair of claim 4, further comprising a handle mounted to the first cross bar near the second end.
 6. The booster salon chair of claim 4, wherein the second end of the first cross bar comprises a first roller, and the second end of the second cross bar comprises a second roller.
 7. The booster salon chair of claim 6, wherein the lower frame comprises a plurality of notches formed to receive and secure the second roller within.
 8. The booster salon chair of claim 4, wherein the at least one first cross bar is a pair of first cross bars, and the at least one second cross bar is a pair of second cross bars.
 9. The booster salon chair of claim 8, wherein the pair of first cross bars is connected by at least a first connector bar near the second ends of the pair of first cross bars, and wherein the pair of second cross bars are connected to one another by at least a second connector bar near the second ends of the pair of second cross bars.
 10. The booster salon chair of claim 9, further comprising a handle assembly comprising a lower release bar attached to the second connector bar and an upper release bar attached to the first connector bar, wherein the lower and upper release bars are pivotally attached to one another, and a handle is attached to the upper release bar.
 11. A booster seat apparatus comprising: a lower frame; an upper frame; a seat pad comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the lower surface is attached to the upper frame; a first arm rest secured to a first side of the seat pad and a second arm rest secured to a second side of the seat pad; and a lift frame attaching the lower frame and the upper frame together, and operable to alter a distance between the lower frame and the upper frame, wherein the first arm rest and the second arm rest comprise an expanded position and a retracted position, wherein the expanded position comprises the first arm rest and the second arm disposed above the upper surface of the seat pad, and the retracted position comprises the first arm rest and the second arm rest disposed substantially in between the upper surface and the lower surface of the seat pad.
 12. The booster seat of claim 11, wherein the lift frame comprises at least a first cross bar and a second cross bar each comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first cross bar is pivotally attached to the lower frame and the first end of the second cross bar is pivotally attached to the upper frame, wherein the first and second cross bars are pivotally attached to one another at a crossing point.
 13. The booster salon chair of claim 12, wherein the second end of the first cross bar is slidably engaged with the upper frame, and the second end of the second cross bar is slidably engaged with the lower frame.
 14. The booster salon chair of claim 13, further comprising a handle mounted to the first cross bar near the second end.
 15. The booster salon chair of claim 13, wherein the second end of the first cross bar comprises a first roller, and the second end of the second cross bar comprises a second roller.
 16. The booster salon chair of claim 15, wherein the lower frame comprises a plurality of notches formed to receive and secure the second roller within.
 17. The booster salon chair of claim 13, wherein the at least one first cross bar is a pair of first cross bars, and the at least one second cross bar is a pair of second cross bars.
 18. The booster salon chair of claim 17, wherein the pair of first cross bars is connected by at least a first connector bar near the second ends of the pair of first cross bars, and wherein the pair of second cross bars are connected to one another by at least a second connector bar near the second ends of the pair of second cross bars.
 19. The booster salon chair of claim 18, further comprising a handle assembly comprising a lower release bar attached to the second connector bar and an upper release bar attached to the first connector bar, wherein the lower and upper release bars are pivotally attached to one another, and a handle is attached to the upper release bar. 